Praying for children invites God’s influence into their lives, protecting them.
The importance of praying for your children, in at least one verse, Ephesians 6:4, explicitly addresses fathers after three verses, discussing how children should obey their parents. As the head of the family, the father is responsible for raising the children. However, Paul’s instruction is intended for both parents.
Fathers are admonished not to annoy or disturb their children. While it may sometimes be necessary, avoiding egregious favouritism or engaging in unjust and harsh actions is indispensable in any child’s upbringing. Godly fathers should not provoke their children to anger. Although anger can sometimes be a valid emotion, it is difficult to manage and often leads to sin (Ephesians 4:26).
Instead, parents are positively instructed to “bring them up.” In other words, Christians are meant to play an essential role in their children’s upbringing. Two areas are mentioned in the importance of praying for your children.
Paul begins by discussing discipline, a trait every parent desires for their children. Discipline involves developing self-control and curbing the impulse to act morally. Paul subsequently references the “instruction of the Lord.” We should actively educate and model God’s ways for our kids.
Indeed, no one can raise a child in the way of the Lord without prayer. Parents who attempt this often resort to physical punishment, such as hitting and smacking, or verbal abuse, like yelling or threatening their children.
They often believe these methods are appropriate for discipline. However, they do not truly discipline; instead, they lead children to feel maltreated, fostering disobedience and anger, which Paul wanted parents to prevent in their children’s upbringing.
We understand that discipline rewards children for appropriate behaviour and discourages inappropriate behaviour through fair and positive means. Any parent who values such rewards for their children must listen to the Lord and adopt His ways, for the importance of praying for your children is immense.
The primary reason for following the Lord’s teachings is that children develop the independence necessary for life. No child is meant to live with their parents indefinitely; at least, that is the goal of parenting. The best way to impart wisdom to a child is through the Holy Spirit, the creator of wisdom.
Praying for your children is crucial and is God’s will.
Consequently, Deuteronomy 6:7 states, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
As the scripture states, Moses, the exemplar of humility, was humbler than all men on the face of the earth. He urged us to remain steadfast in guiding our children in the way of the Lord, which is crucial for their character development and future.
No wonder Proverbs 22:6 rightly tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Furthermore, Proverbs 29:15-17 emphasises that a rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined brings disgrace to his mother. Discipline your children; they will bring you peace and fulfil your desires.
This indicates that discipline is vital for every child’s upbringing. Parents can only succeed if they diligently implement it because of the importance of praying for your children.
It can also occur solely through the Holy Spirit and God’s words in prayers. Indeed, in Chapter 2, Luke elucidates why we should follow the Lord’s method of raising children. In verse 40, he reveals that the child Jesus grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
This illustrates the proper path for every child’s development. In verse 52, he further informs us that “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men”—virtues essential for His growth and future mission after He departed from His parents. This is good evidence of the importance of praying for your children.
That’s why Isaiah 54:13 establishes the goal for every parent by stating, “The Lord shall teach all your children, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Therefore, parents must do their utmost to ensure that all their children are taught by the Lord, which is a primary responsibility of parenting.
How to pray for your children: see the importance of praying for your children.
In Deuteronomy 28:1, Moses discusses the rewards of obedience—namely, blessings—and states, “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, observing all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.”
Everything regarding God or attaining anything through God depends solely on our ability to obey. Ephesians 6:18 commands us, stating, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always pray for all the Lord’s people. ”
It encourages you to pray in the Spirit with various prayers and supplications. Throughout the day—morning, afternoon, and evening—pray for your children. Especially at night, you recognise how essential and effective midnight prayers can be—a critical practice of the importance of praying for your children.
Awake and approach your slumbering children with hands drenched in the blood of Jesus, salt in water, or even oil from your kitchen (keep this oil separate in a container for this purpose). If you are unsure, refrain from using anointing oil from various churches, as some pastors may be involved in witchcraft or afflicted by malevolent spirits, such as deceit or fornication, which could pass to you and your children.
You can even immerse your hand in the blood of Jesus, place it upon your children’s heads, pray, and bless them, or rest your hand on them without saying a word. Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for the child, especially if you struggle with a particular sin. Through this process, the Holy Spirit, who does for us what we cannot do for ourselves, will work for you and your child.
The couple needs to take turns praying for their children rather than placing the entire burden on either the mother or father. Pray diligently, and you will become joyful parents; your children will grow strong in spirit and filled with wisdom, and the grace of God will rest upon them like Jesus—the importance of praying for your children.
Scripture prayers for your children and the importance of praying for your children.
Dear Heavenly Father, I come before You with a humble heart, asking for Your guidance and protection over my child. I pray that You instil in them a love for Your word, the Holy Scripture. May they develop a deep understanding and appreciation for its teachings.
I ask that You bless my child with a hunger for Your truth and a desire to seek Your wisdom. May their heart be open and their mind receptive to Your words—the importance of praying for your children.
Father, help them apply Your teachings in their daily lives. May they find solace, strength, and hope in Your promises. May Your Word be a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path.
As they deepen their knowledge and understanding of Your Scripture, may they also strengthen their relationship with You. May they sense Your presence and hear Your voice as they meditate on Your word.
Lord, protect my child from distractions or temptations that may lead them away from Your truth. Please help them stand firm in their faith, walk boldly in righteousness, and live holy, for the Lord is Holy.
I pray that Your Word and Spirit will shape and transform my child into a vessel of Your love, grace, and truth. May their life be used to glorify Your Holy name. Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, I come before You today to pray for my precious child. I pray they will have a deep and personal relationship with You as they journey through life. I ask that Your Word, the Holy Scriptures, will be a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path. —The importance of praying for your children.
